Phytochemicals from Honey as MAP-Kinase Inhibitors: Current Therapeutic Standing and Future Prospects

Honey has been and is being used for medical, pharmaceutical, and domestic needs. Besides, it is used as a conventional medicine and has various pharmacological properties. A variety of polyphenolic compounds are stated in honey and among them important polyphenols are Caffeic acid (CA), Quercetin (QU), Chrysin (CR), Kaempferol (KF), Apigenin (AP), Galangin (GA), Acacetin (AC), Caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE), Pinocembrin (PC), and Pinobanksin (PB) that have evolved as potential pharmacokinetic agents in the cure of cancer. Caffeic acid, a naturally occurring phenolic compound commonly found in honey, is being comprehensively studied for its therapeutic use and is being described as a cancer-causing agent in preliminary studies, but the same compound in combination with other antioxidants has been revealed to repress colon tumors in rats. CAPE was similarly proposed to have anticarcinogenic, antimitogenic, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory potential. In a related progressive study, influence of CA against UVB (280–320 nm) irradiation-induced IL10 appearance and stimulation of MAPKs (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases) in skin of mouse was observed. The findings strongly propose that chrysin exercises growth inhibitory properties either by prompting p38 MAPK leading to buildup of p21Waf1/Cip-1 protein or by arbitrating the repression of proteosome action. It is also a well-established fact that chrysin prompts cell death in association with stimulation of caspase-3 and Akt signal corridor, which plays a vital role in chrysin-incited cell death in U937 cells. Galangin and its antiproliferative outcome on HL-60 cells was expressed in a manner that is dependent on dose, and it also prompted DNA breakage without any loss of integrity of cell membrane. Similarly, quercetin was also shown in an in vitro study to impede HL-60 cell propagation in association with repression of cytosolic PKC (Protein Kinase C) and TPK (tyrosine protein kinase) membrane bound. Acacetin, another important flavonoid, was revealed to impede the propagation of A549 cells, prompt apoptosis, and block cell cycle promotion at G1 cell cycle phase and also heightened the appearance of p53 protein and Fas ligands. Besides was also depicted to impede HepG2 cell propagation and incite cell death by boosting p53 protein and Fas ligands as in case of A-549 cells. Kaempferol-mediated cell death in H-460 cells was complemented by substantial DNA coiling/condensation and amassing ATP content. Besides, it altered the levels of Caspase-3 and AIF (Apoptosis-Inducing Factor). Pinocembrin has been shown to induce loss of MMP (mitochondrial membrane potential) with further release of cytochrome c and processing of caspase 3 and 9 in colon HCT116 cancer cells. Apigenin has been shown to exert antiproliferative influence against colon, breast, neuroblastoma, cervical, and liver cancer cell lines. The chapter has clearly put forth certain honey-based compounds that have been tested in laboratory setups and have been revealed to be hopeful pharmacological agent for hindering cancer propagation.